Composting Tips

Get compost fast

Kick your composting up a notch with these tips. Using this simple 3-bin composter you can turn yard and kitchen waste into rich compost in 4 to 6 weeks.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine
:May 2002

TIME

Weekend

COMPLEXITY

Simple

COST

$100 - $500

Step-by-Step

A good tip for composting is to use 3 bins so you can get finished compost faster.

1 of 3

Photo 1: Cut the boards

Cut the 6-ft. boards into
twenty-four 3-ft. lengths.
Predrill screw holes and
attach two of the 3-ft. boards to a
pair of cleats with 2-in. deck screws.
Square the frame by moving it until
the two diagonal measurements are
equal. Spread the remaining boards
between the top and bottom boards
so they're spaced evenly and screw
them in. Repeat this procedure for
the other three side panels and the
back. To divide the bin into three
sections, complete the back panel
by screwing on two additional
2x2 cleats.

2 of 3

Photo 2: Join the panels

Assemble the bin by
driving 2-in. deck screws
through the back boards into
the side panels, one screw for each
board. Then drive 3-in. deck screws
through the 2x2 cleats on the back
panel into the 2x2 cleats on each
side panel. If uneven ground makes
it difficult to align the sections, place shims at the low spots.

3 of 3

Composting steps

Shift the compost from bin to bin to accelerate the decomposition.

This three-bin composter is
designed to make composting tidy
and effortless. It's big enough to
hold most of your grass clippings,
fallen leaves, pruning leftovers and
the like so you don't have to haul
them away. And the three-bin system
speeds up the decomposition
so you can return that organic
fertilizer to your gardens where it'll
improve the soil.

Garden waste goes into the far left
bin first. After a few weeks, you
move it to the middle bin (turning
and aerating it in the process),
where it continues to decompose.
After a few more weeks, you move it
to the third bin (it's ready for another turn anyway), where it's
well on its way to becoming finished
compost. It takes four to six weeks to
make compost from start to finish,
assuming you've kept the piles moist
and shredded any leaves or tough
stalks before adding them to the bin.
Meanwhile, you've been filling the
bin at the far left with fresh debris to keep the cycle going.

Stuff to avoid: Meat and bones,
oils and fats, feces, seed heads,
diseased plants and weed roots.
In addition, if your compost turns
slimy and stinks, discard it and start
over. Don't use it on your plants.

Three-bin composter

Three-Bin Composter Plan

Use cedar decking (or other rot-resistant wood) to build the composter. To make a bigger composter, just use longer boards for the back.

Materials

Six 5/4 x 6 x 10-ft.
cedar deck boards
(back)

Twelve 5/4 x 6 x 6-ft.
cedar deck boards
(sides)

Twelve 2x2 x 3-ft.
cedar (cleats)

Tools & Materials

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Miter saw

Cordless drill

Tape measure

Circular saw

Countersink drill bit

Framing square

Safety glasses

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.